Fig. 1 shows the energy used at each stage in the life of a powered household appliance. Describe what the chart shows and state which design changes would ...
Question 1 Report
Fig. 1 shows the energy used at each stage in the life of a powered household appliance. Describe what the chart shows and state which design changes would reduce the total most. [8]
Answer Details
The chart shows that the use stage consumes far more energy than all other stages combined. Manufacture is the next largest contribution, while distribution and disposal are small. [3]
Because use is the dominant stage, the most effective changes reduce energy consumed while the appliance operates:
- improve insulation;
- use a more efficient motor or heating element;
- use controls that reduce standby power; and
- allow the appliance to be used at a lower setting. [3]
Changing packaging or material affects only the smaller life-cycle contributions, so it cannot achieve a comparable overall saving. However, extending product life spreads the manufacturing energy over more years of use. [2] The key data-analysis rule is to target the largest bar first, rather than choosing an improvement merely because it sounds environmentally positive.
Download The App On Google Playstore
Everything you need to excel in your exams
